What you're watching

All Christmas all the time on TV

December 13, 2011 | 7:44
pm

Holiday movies, specials and very special holiday episodes of your favorite series fill the TV screens between now and Christmas Day. Here are many of the highlights.

“Movie: Once Upon a Christmas” ** (2000) 1 p.m., Thursday December 22, ABC Family: (G) John Dye, Kathy Ireland. The daughter of Santa Claus vows to transform a single father and his spoiled children to prove that the spirit of Christmas exists.

“Giada's Family Christmas” 1 p.m., Thursday December 22, FOOD: Giada and her family have good cheer with amazing food; Italian struffoli, Italian pot roast, and french toast.

“Movie: White Christmas” **** (1954) 2:45 p.m., Thursday December 22, AMC: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye. Former Army buddies put on a show with a sister act to save their general's hotel in Vermont.

“Movie: Twice Upon a Christmas” ** (2001) 3 p.m., Thursday December 22, ABC Family: Kathy Ireland, John Dye. When a widower proposes to Santa's daughter, his children try to discover the truth about her past.

“Disney Prep & Landing” 8 p.m., Thursday December 22, ABC: An elite unit of elves, Prep & Landing, ensures that homes around the world are properly prepared to be visited by Santa Claus each Christmas Eve.

“Movie: Christmas Magic” (2011) 8 p.m., Thursday December 22, Hallmark: Lindy Booth. To gain entry to heaven, a woman must help a man and his young daughter.

“Keeping Up Appearances” 9:30 p.m., Thursday December 22, KOCE: Christmas Special 1991 : Hyacinth decides that Richard should play Father Christmas at the church and hand out presents to the senior citizens.

“Movie: A Princess for Christmas” (2011) 10 p.m., Thursday December 22, Hallmark: Katie McGrath, Roger Moore. A woman escorts her niece and nephew to spend the holidays with their grandfather, an English duke.

“Extreme Christmas Trees” 10 p.m., Thursday December 22, TLC: Christmas trees that are over the top.

“Invasion of the Christmas Lights 2” 11 p.m., Thursday December 22, TLC: A crisscrossing of America chronicles elaborate home displays of holiday lights and decorations.

“Movie: What Would Jesus Buy?” (2007) 6 a.m., Friday December 23, Sundance: (PG) The Rev. Billy Tallen and his Stop Shopping Choir embark on a cross-country crusade against the commercialization of Christmas.

“History's Mysteries” 10 a.m., Friday December 23, History: In Search of Christmas : Scholars attempt to uncover the historical truth of the birth of Jesus.

“Movie: What Would Jesus Buy?” (2007) 10:25 a.m., Friday December 23, Sundance: (PG) The Rev. Billy Tallen and his Stop Shopping Choir embark on a cross-country crusade against the commercialization of Christmas.

“What Christmas Really Means” 10:30 a.m., Friday December 23, KTBN:

“Movie: White Christmas” **** (1954) 11:15 a.m., Friday December 23, AMC: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye. Former Army buddies put on a show with a sister act to save their general's hotel in Vermont.

“The Young and the Restless” 11:30 a.m., Friday December 23, CBS: Nikki's Special Christmas Episode : An angel takes Nikki on a journey through her past and present on Christmas Eve. (N)

“Movie: Santa Baby” (2006) Noon, Friday December 23, ABC Family: Jenny McCarthy, George Wendt. A business executive returns to the North Pole to help her father, Santa Claus, prepare for Christmas.

“The Bold and the Beautiful” 12:30 p.m., Friday December 23, CBS: The Logan sisters try to cook Christmas dinner; the Forresters get together to celebrate. (N)

“All Out American Christmas” 1 p.m., Friday December 23, HGTV: Homeowners across the country create over-the-top holiday displays. (N)

“Movie: What Would Jesus Buy?” (2007) 3:15 p.m., Friday December 23, Sundance: (PG) The Rev. Billy Tallen and his Stop Shopping Choir embark on a cross-country crusade against the commercialization of Christmas.

“Anderson” 4 p.m., Friday December 23, Fox: Anderson's Holiday Show : Anderson's first holiday show is full of surprises; a big surprise for Santa; Anderson's big giveaway. (N)

“Movie: Christmas Comes Home to Canaan” (2011) 4 p.m., Friday December 23, Hallmark: Billy Ray Cyrus, Zak Ludwig. A man bonds with a woman who helps his son recover from surgery.

“History's Mysteries” 4 p.m., Friday December 23, History: In Search of Christmas : Scholars attempt to uncover the historical truth of the birth of Jesus.

“Movie: The Ultimate Christmas Present” (2000) 5 p.m., Friday December 23, DISNXD: Hallee Hirsh, Brenda Song. Two girls' plan to close school by making it snow in Los Angeles jeopardizes Christmas.

“Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation” 8:30 p.m., Friday December 23, ABC: The boys must save Christmas when the holiday is canceled after Dr. Doofenshmirtz covers Danville in a cloud of naughtiness; including an additional winter-theme episode.

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” 9 p.m., Friday December 23, KTLA: A youth embarks on a journey to find his missing grandmother and prove that Santa Claus is real.

“Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring David Archuleta and Michael York” 9 p.m., Friday December 23, KOCE: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's holiday program combines dancing, musical performances and storytelling. With David Archuleta and Michael York.

“Movie: The Night Before the Night Before Christmas” (2010) 10 p.m., Friday December 23, Hallmark: Jennifer Beals, Rick Roberts. A family must save Christmas when Santa Claus lands on the roof and loses his magic bundle.

“Movie: Deck the Halls” * (2006) 10 a.m., Saturday December 24, FX: (PG) Danny DeVito, Matthew Broderick. Neighbors in a New England town go to war after one adorns his house with enough Christmas lights to make it visible from space.

“Movie: The Christmas Card” (2006) 10 a.m., Saturday December 24, Hallmark: Ed Asner, John Newton. Home on leave, a soldier visits a small town and falls for the woman who wrote a well-wishing card to the troops.

“Movie: Holiday Affair” *** (1949) 11:30 a.m., Saturday December 24, TCM: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh. A war widow has a 6-year-old son, and two men who want to marry her for Christmas.

“Movie: Christmas With the Kranks” ** (2004) Noon, Saturday December 24, FX: (PG) Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis. A Chicago couple scramble to put together a holiday celebration after their daughter decides to come home for Christmas.

“A St. Thomas Christmas 2010” 1 p.m., Saturday December 24, KCET: Seven vocal and instrumental ensembles from the University of St. Thomas perform traditional and contemporary seasonal music.

“Movie: A Golden Christmas” ** (2009) 1 p.m., Saturday December 24, ION: Andrea Roth, Bruce Davison. A special dog helps a woman reunite with a friend that she met years earlier as a child.

“Movie: The Search for Santa Paws” (2010) 1 p.m., Saturday December 24, Disney: (G) Voices of Kaitlyn Maher, Madison Pettis. A talking dog and an orphan must save Christmas after old Saint Nick loses his memory.

“Straight No Chaser -- Live in New York: Holiday Edition” 1:30 p.m., Saturday December 24, KOCE: The a cappella group performs material from its new album, “Six Pack,” as well as songs from a holiday album, “Christmas Cheers.”

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys” 1:30 p.m., Saturday December 24, ABC Family: The famous reindeer and his friends must save Christmas when the evil Toy Taker steals all of Santa's toys.

“My Ghost Story” 2 p.m., Saturday December 24, Biography: Holiday Hauntings : Haunted by a mother and her six children; the famous ghostly “man on the stairs”; ghost children appear as orbs in Christmas pictures; a dog follows his dead mistress's spirit.

“Movie: Annie Claus Is Coming to Town” (2011) 2 p.m., Saturday December 24, Hallmark: Maria Thayer, Vivica A. Fox. As part of his master plan, an elf hires an actor to woo the daughter of Santa Claus.

“Movie: The Christmas Hope” *** (2009) 2 p.m., Saturday December 24, Lifetime: Madeleine Stowe, James Remar. A grieving woman bonds with an orphaned girl after the death of her son.

“Movie: Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh” (2008) 2 p.m., Saturday December 24, Nickelodeon: Drake Bell, Josh Peck. To avoid trouble with the law, two brothers promise to provide the best Christmas possible for a girl and her family.

“A Johnny Bravo Christmas” 2:30 p.m., Saturday December 24, Toon Disney: Johnny goes on adventure to deliver his letter to Santa Claus in time for Christmas.

“Holiday Block Party 2011” 3 p.m., Saturday December 24, HGTV: Designers transform three homes on a cul-de-sac; a bold and shimmering design; a Hanukkah/Christmas hybrid design; a South American-inspired transformation.

“Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too!” 3:30 p.m., Saturday December 24, ABC Family: Fearing that Santa may not get it in time, Pooh carries his friends' wish list to the North Pole. Animated.

“Movie: Where God Left His Shoes” ** (2007) 3:30 p.m., Saturday December 24, IFC: John Leguizamo, Leonor Varela. One Christmas Eve, an unemployed boxer and his young stepson walk the streets in search of a job so that their family can have a home on Christmas morning.

“Disney Prep & Landing” 5 p.m., Saturday December 24, ABC Family: An elite unit of elves, Prep & Landing, ensures that homes around the world are properly prepared to be visited by Santa Claus each Christmas Eve.

“Inside Story: Santa Clause” 5 p.m., Saturday December 24, Biography: A story that turned the Santa myth on its head becoming the surprise hit of the 1994 holiday season.

“All Out American Christmas” 5 p.m., Saturday December 24, HGTV: Homeowners across the country create over-the-top holiday displays.

“Burt Wolf: Travels & Traditions” 5:30 p.m., Saturday December 24, KLCS: Christmas in Vienna, Austria : A tour of Vienna's Christmas markets; inside the castle of the Habsburg family; the foods of Christmas and their meanings.

“The National Christmas Tree Lighting 2011” 6 p.m., Saturday December 24, KOCE: A holiday concert culminates with the lighting of the national Christmas tree in President's Park in Washington, D.C.; host Carson Daly. With performances by One Republic, Rodney Atkins and Marsha Ambrosius.

“A Piers Morgan Christmas” 6 p.m., Saturday December 24, CNN:

“White House Christmas 2011” 6 p.m., Saturday December 24, HGTV: The staff reveals design secrets in a program showing the decorating, volunteers and menu that go into creating a fun and festive holiday season in “the people's house.”

“Crazy Christmas Lights” 6 p.m., Saturday December 24, TLC: Holiday decorating taken to the next level.

“Christmas With the King Family” 7 p.m., Saturday December 24, KVCR: Thirty nine members of the family perform a compilation of classic music from their Christmas specials.

“Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town” 7 p.m., Saturday December 24, ABC Family: A mailman (the voice of Fred Astaire) explains why Santa has whiskers, lives at the North Pole and brings presents once a year. Animated.

“Movie: Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh” (2008) 7 p.m., Saturday December 24, Nickelodeon: Drake Bell, Josh Peck. To avoid trouble with the law, two brothers promise to provide the best Christmas possible for a girl and her family.

“Movie: It's a Wonderful Life” **** (1946) 8 p.m., Saturday December 24, NBC: James Stewart, Donna Reed. Ruined by a miser on Christmas Eve, a suicidal family man sees life anew thanks to his guardian angel.

“The Year Without a Santa Claus” 8 p.m., Saturday December 24, ABC Family: Feeling sad and unwanted, Santa takes the day off before Christmas; voices: Mickey Rooney, Shirley Booth; animated.

“Movie: Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!” (2011) 8 p.m., Saturday December 24, Disney: Bridgit Mendler, Leigh-Allyn Baker. Chaos strikes when a woman and her daughter get separated from their family during the holidays.

“Movie: The Christmas Card” (2006) 8 p.m., Saturday December 24, Hallmark: Ed Asner, John Newton. Home on leave, a soldier visits a small town and falls for the woman who wrote a well-wishing card to the troops.

“Movie: Undercover Christmas” (2003) 8 p.m., Saturday December 24, Lifetime: Jami Gertz, Shawn Christian. Assigned to protect a waitress, a workaholic FBI agent brings her to his parents' home for the holidays.

“Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Ghosts of Christmas Eve” 11 p.m., Saturday December 24, KOCE: Ossie Davis and a young girl watch a Christmas story, with the accompaniment of performances by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Jewel, and Michael Crawford.

“Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas” 8 a.m., Sunday December 25, KOCE: The Man With the Yellow Hat and George are excited about Christmas, but neither can decide what to give the other for presents.

“Movie: Annie Claus Is Coming to Town” (2011) 8 a.m., Sunday December 25, Hallmark: Maria Thayer, Vivica A. Fox. As part of his master plan, an elf hires an actor to woo the daughter of Santa Claus.

“Crazy Christmas Lights” 9 a.m., Sunday December 25, TLC: Holiday decorating taken to the next level.

“The Dick Van Dyke Show” 9:18 a.m., Sunday December 25, TV Land: The Alan Brady Show Presents : The entire “Alan Brady” staff presents a Christmas show instead of the script turned in by the writers.

“Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Christmas Special: A Lost Claus” 9:30 a.m., Sunday December 25, Toon Disney: Mac and Bloo must regain their faith in Santa Claus to prevent a horrible holiday.

“Movie: Shadow Island Mysteries: The Last Christmas” (2010) 9:40 a.m., Sunday December 25, TMC: Jennifer Finnigan, Natalie Brown. A mystery writer must solve a puzzle that may explain the sudden death of her grandfather.

“Invasion of the Christmas Lights 2” 11 a.m., Sunday December 25, TLC: A crisscrossing of America chronicles elaborate home displays of holiday lights and decorations.

“Movie: One Christmas” ** (1994) 11:15 a.m., Sunday December 25, TMC: Katharine Hepburn, Henry Winkler. An Alabama boy meets a noblewoman and other characters on a visit to his father in 1930 New Orleans.

“Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town” 11:30 a.m., Sunday December 25, ABC Family: A mailman (the voice of Fred Astaire) explains why Santa has whiskers, lives at the North Pole and brings presents once a year. Animated.

“Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring David Archuleta and Michael York” Noon, Sunday December 25, KOCE: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's holiday program combines dancing, musical performances and storytelling. With David Archuleta and Michael York.

“Movie: 'Twas the Night” ** (2001) Noon, Sunday December 25, DISNXD: Bryan Cranston, Josh Zuckerman. A 14-year-old boy and his uncle jeopardize Christmas when they take Santa's sleigh for a joy ride.

“Christmas at Belmont 2011” 2 p.m., Sunday December 25, KOCE: The annual holiday concert of traditional carols, world music and seasonal favorites features students from Belmont University's music program. (N)

“Movie: Christmas Magic” (2011) 2 p.m., Sunday December 25, Hallmark: Lindy Booth. To gain entry to heaven, a woman must help a man and his young daughter.

“Movie: A Christmas Wedding” (2006) 2 p.m., Sunday December 25, Lifetime: Sarah Paulson, Eric Mabius. A real-estate developer embarks on a wild cross-country odyssey to get home in time for her wedding.

“Movie: The Christmas Clause” ** (2008) 3 p.m., Sunday December 25, ION: Lea Thompson, Andrew Airlie. Stressed-out from work and family, a successful lawyer wishes that her vision of a new life would come true.

“Extreme Christmas Trees” 3 p.m., Sunday December 25, TLC: Christmas trees that are over the top.

“Christmas With the King Family” 4 p.m., Sunday December 25, KVCR: Thirty nine members of the family perform a compilation of classic music from their Christmas specials.

“Movie: The Christmas Pageant” (2011) 4 p.m., Sunday December 25, Hallmark: Melissa Gilbert, Robert Mailhouse. An overbearing theater director gets a new outlook on life when she takes a small-town gig.

“Movie: A Nanny for Christmas” (2010) 4 p.m., Sunday December 25, Lifetime: Emmanuelle Vaugier, Dean Cain. A career woman cares for the children of a Beverly Hills advertising executive during the holidays.

“Invasion of the Christmas Lights” 4 p.m., Sunday December 25, TLC: A crisscrossing of America chronicles elaborate home Christmas displays of lights and decorations.

“Movie: Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!” (2011) 4:30 p.m., Sunday December 25, Disney: Bridgit Mendler, Leigh-Allyn Baker. Chaos strikes when a woman and her daughter get separated from their family during the holidays.

“Movie: A Golden Christmas 2: The Second Tail” (2011) 5 p.m., Sunday December 25, ION: Julie Gonzalo, Bruce Davison. Puppies play matchmaker for a woman and her engaged ex-boyfriend.

“The National Christmas Tree Lighting 2011” 10 p.m., Sunday December 25, KLCS: A holiday concert culminates with the lighting of the national Christmas tree in President's Park in Washington, D.C.; host Carson Daly. With performances by One Republic, Rodney Atkins and Marsha Ambrosius.